The Best Substitute for Coriander That You Can Use posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re looking for a substitute for coriander, you’ve come to the right place! Check out these great options that will give your dish the flavor it needs. Whether you’re looking for something similar or something completely different, we’ve got you covered. You will find a Substitute for Coriander that suits your recipe from the list of the substitutes provided in this article. So, read on and make a great meal! Table of ContentsWhat is Coriander?12 Best Coriander Substitutes 1. Cumin2. Caraway3. Fennel4. Whole Cloves5. Garam Masala6. Curry Powder7. Parsley8. Basil9. Oregano Leaf10. Dill11. Tarragon12. Herb Mixture What is Coriander? Let’s learn more about coriander before we dive deeper into its substitutes. Coriander can be added to any dish to add a citric flavor and aroma. Home cooks and chefs also use coriander as a spice and herb to enhance flavor. Click To Tweet People who don’t like coriander find it soapy. This is due to the natural chemicals and compounds in coriander. 12 Best Coriander Substitutes Perhaps you ran out of coriander after making a delicious tomato pasta dish. These are the top 12 replacements you have. 1. Cumin (Source) This is the best alternative to coriander if you are out of it. Cumin is a popular ingredient in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cuisines. It is used in dishes such as this layered enchilada dish. These dishes often include cumin and coriander together to enhance the flavor. Cumin seeds are known for their warm, spicy, and nutty flavors. These flavors are very similar to coriander. Because of its popularity, it is easy to find it in markets and grocery stores. This makes cumin the best coriander substitute. Even though they are the most popular choice, there are still differences in their taste. Coriander is more potent and pungent than cumin. If you are going to substitute cumin for coriander, don’t add too many unless you enjoy extreme flavors. 2. Caraway (Source) Caraway also has the same earthy flavor as coriander. This herb is also part of the same plant family. This spice is a great substitute for cumin in cooking due to its similar taste and familial roots. This spice is often used in potato salads and other dishes. It can be substituted for coriander by using dried or ground coriander. In case you run out of ground coriander, caraway seeds can be used to replace it. Even though caraway seeds taste similar to coriander, the process of obtaining this herb can be difficult. It isn’t as well-known as cumin, and it tends to be a bit more expensive. Caraway is slightly sweeter than coriander. If you are going to substitute coriander, start with a small amount and then add more as necessary. 3. Fennel (Source) Fennel seeds can be used to make a soothing fennel-infused tea. However, you can also substitute coriander with this spice. Click To Tweet Anethole, which is the substance in fennel, gives it a natural sweetness similar to anise flavor and licorice. Anethole is found in both fennel, and cilantro making it a good substitute for the former. Fennel, though it contains the same substance as coriander but lacks the citric taste of the latter. Fennel can also bring bitterness to your dish, especially if it is raw. You might also want to consider other options if you don’t like licorice. 4. Whole Cloves (Source) Cloves are used mainly in sauces, marinades, and herbal drinks such as Indian chai tea. You can also use whole cloves if you run out of coriander. Whole cloves’ natural aroma can be used to replace coriander’s citric scent. It is easy to maintain its delightful fragrance. You just need to properly store the whole cloves on a shelf. This will allow them to retain their aroma. To fully enjoy the wonderful aroma, you will need to grind whole cloves using a mortar and pestle. If you don’t want to grind them, you will have to manually remove them from the dish with a cheesecloth and tea ball. 5. Garam Masala (Source) Garam masala, which is often used in Indian dishes like Indian chicken curry or Indian chicken curry, is a spice mix. It mainly consists of cumin, coriander, cloves, and many more ingredients. Garam masala can be substituted for coriander because it contains coriander. This spice mix may have more flavor because of the addition of spices. Its strength is also its weak point. Garam masala’s other spices can make or break a dish. It also contains turmeric, which can make the dish yellowish. If the masala will be used to substitute dried coriander, it is recommended that you add small amounts. 6. Curry Powder (Source) Curry powder, like garam masala, is made with a mix of spices. These spices include coriander and turmeric as well as ginger and many other spices. Curry powder can be used in recipes like this creamy cauliflower soup. Curry powder can be used as a substitute for plain coriander if you run out of garam masala. This spice can also be used in sweet or savory dishes. Garam masala and other spices in curry powder can also have an impact on the dish’s flavor. Your dish’s original color could change due to the addition of turmeric. In the case of substituting coriander powder for turmeric, it is best to use a small amount. 7. Parsley Like coriander, this herb is very similar to caraway. Parsley is a well-known ingredient in recipes such as this curried carrot soup recipe. Parsley is a great substitute for fresh coriander leaves and has crisp flavors. Parsley is a great alternative to coriander or cilantro leaves because of its freshness. If you don’t like cilantro, you can substitute this herb for it. Parsley, however, lacks the citric taste of cilantro. Parsley is also more bitter than its relative. You can use this as a coriander replacement by adding a few drops of lemon or lime juice. This will give your dish its original acidic flavors and neutralize the bitterness of parsley. 8. Basil (Source) Parsley, like basil, is also a popular herb. This herb is often found in dishes like this apricot pasta dish. The taste of Thai basil is very different from Italian basil. Thai basil is more bitter than the Italian variety, which is slightly sweeter. The Thai basil has a distinctive taste that is almost identical to licorice. There is a chance that the flavor of this herb used in recipes as a coriander replacement may be different. It won’t have any significant impact on the dish. You will still notice a difference in the flavor. 9. Oregano Leaf (Source) This herb can be found in many dishes, including pizza, pasta sauces, and soups such as this slow cooker lentil soup and cabbage soup. You can also use oregano leaves if you don’t have cilantro. Oregano leaves can be used to replace ground coriander and add an earthy and minty flavor to your recipe. It can also be mixed with cumin, or added to herb mixtures to enhance the flavors. Sometimes, dried oregano leaves can be used as an emergency substitute for cilantro. However, there are downsides to using oregano. It lacks the bold flavors of coriander. Oregano can be purchased in bulk, but it is not the most cost-friendly herb. 10. Dill Chop dill, a herb that is commonly used in salmon dishes and creamy yogurt sauces, can also be used as a substitute for cilantro. Dill has a citric taste with grasslike notes and can be used as a substitute for parsley. It doesn’t have the same flavor as coriander but it has its distinct flavors. Due to its strong flavor, it is best to use it as a substitute for coriander. If you feel the dish requires more flavor, only add more. 11. Tarragon (Source) Also great for salads and soups, tarragon can also substitute for cilantro or coriander leaves. Tarragon is known for its thin leaves, fragrant, citric aroma, and bittersweet flavor. Tarragon shares a similar taste to lemon and licorice but also has hints of vanilla and pepper flavors. If you’re using tarragon as a substitute for cilantro, it’s best not to add too much. The taste of the two can be quite different so don’t add too much tarragon to a dish. Click To Tweet 12. Herb Mixture If you don’t have cilantro, you can make a mixture of dried herbs that have a similar flavor. This is where a herb combination comes in. Mixing finely chopped herbs like rosemary, chives, and tarragon can give your dish a new freshness. It can also add interesting flavors to your dish if you use herbs that resemble cilantro, such as parsley. This option is also available if you don’t like cilantro. It’s best to use a small amount of garam masala or curry powder when substituting for coriander. The flavor of the other herbs can make or break a dish. If you feel the dish requires more flavor, only add more herb mixture. A Final Thought Thanks for checking out our list of coriander substitutes! We hope you find the perfect substitute for coriander and make a great meal.
